Police ID Victims in Fatal Head-On Collision

A press release from the Des Moines Police Department says a red Dodge pickup truck driven by 28-year-old Ryan Rench of Des Moines was traveling westbound on SE Army Post Road. Rench attempted to pass other vehicles traveling westbound, when he collided with a white Honda SUV travelling eastbound on SE Army Post.

The SUV was driven by 56-year-old Kathryn Kinley of Des Moines, and a 12-year-old male and 13-year-old male were passengers in the vehicle. Kinley and the 13-year-old were killed in the crash. The 12-year-old is currently hospitalized in critical condition. The names of the minors involved are being withheld until family members can be notified. Police have not confirmed the three’s relationship to one another.

Rench was also transported to the hospital, and is in serious condition. There were no other passengers in his truck.

Investigators say physical evidence is leading to what caused the accident.

“There’s no glaring factors here that contributes to it. We had good visibility that day. Looking at witness reports, we’re not hearing of outrageous estimates of speed, either. It looks like it just may have been a tragic accident and some oversight involved,” says Des Moines Police Department spokesperson Sergeant Paul Parizek.

Police say Rench was not speeding or impaired. Officials are still investigating the incident and are determining if charges will be filed.